Teens with Ignite Foundation help Harriet Tubman Charter School in Algiers for Juneteenth

NEW ORLEANS ( WGNO ) — Over at Harriet Tubman Charter School in Algiers, a mentoring program called the Ignite Foundation observed Juneteenth with a community service initiative.

Juneteenth is a day to remember and celebrate, but it is also a day to put community service into action, and that’s what’s happening at Harriet Tubman. Students are helping the teachers prepare and set up their classrooms for the new school year.

“So, the principal of Harriet Tubman asked us to rearrange the room. This room is used for every extracurricular activity at Tubman with band uniforms, art supplies, extra chairs and sporting equipment. The room needs to be a little more organized,” said Ignite Foundation Board President Rosalyn Walters.

The students putting in the hard work are part of the Ignite Foundation , a youth mentoring program for eighth through 12th-grade students who represent 16 different high schools in the area.

“They want to be part of an organization that makes a difference in the community also while having fun,” said Ignite Foundation Director and Founder Teddy Marshall.

Marshall went on to say, “It’s really important our kids value community. With Ignite, we focus on academic achievement, community service and self-enrichment. What a better way to celebrate Juneteenth by serving.”

With Juneteenth marking freedom from slavery, these students honor its historic significance while showing they can make a difference.

“Just to show people that we actually care about it,” said 15-year-old Jacob Perkins.

“Finally able to be united as one and not be defined by the color of our skin. I want to do this to show that I can be helpful and useful on this important day to my people,” said 14-year-old Kendrell Burnett.

The students are getting community service credit hours for their hard work.

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